Worcester police investigating weekend shooting of 15-year-old boy

Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Friday night or early Saturday morning.

It marks the third shooting in Worcester this month. There was one shooting in the city in December 2011.

On Saturday police were called to St. Vincent Hospital about 12:15 a.m. on a report that a gunshot victim had walked into the emergency room. Police found a 15-year-old boy who had been shot in the left hand.

The victim told police he was walking near 64 Vernon St. with two other people when a truck drove by and someone fired shots from the vehicle, police said.

A bullet hit the teen in the hand. He ran home and family members drove him to the hospital, police said.

Detectives learned that the teen had been at a house party on Suffield Street. Police had gone to the home Friday night on reports of a loud party and later on a report of gunshots.

“The victim stated that he and his companions left the party and headed home when he was shot,” police said.

Authorities are trying to determine the motive and identify the shooter.

“December is showing a spike in nonfatal shootings, and this trend highlights the need for more restrictive gun laws and the need for the court to get tougher on individuals arrested for illegal possession of a firearm or those who commit a crime with a firearm,” Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said.

The Police Department is adding patrols to the Vernon Street area, which it designated a tactical response area after this weekend’s shooting. A tactical response area previously was established in the Fox Street neighborhood after a shooting there Dec. 16.

Anyone who has information about the shootings may send an anonymous text to 274637 beginning with TIPWPD, or submit an anonymous message online at www.worcesterma.gov/police, or call Worcester police detectives (508) 799-8651.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.